Bad brake light leads to cocaine bust in Howell

A Lakewood man described by Howell Township police as a known drug dealer faces possession and distribution counts after being stopped for a broken brake light in a Route 9 shopping center.

Cocaine by Science & Society Picture, Getty Images

Terrill Jones, 43, allegedly tried to stuff 10 grams of cocaine between the driver's seat and the center console of the 1999 Lincoln Continental, according to investigators who searched it Wednesday afternoon.

Police said that Jones was spotted at about 4:30 PM meandering and weaving through the lot, slowly circling while using a cell phone and apparently looking for someone, then heading back to the highway.

A faulty brake light on the Lincoln prompted the pullover on the southbound side of 9 near Estelle Lane. Patrolman TJ Hurley caught the scent of marijuana emanating from the car, police said, adding that Riley's account of his activity didn't match Hurley's observations.

A search of Riley yielded an illegal Percocet tablet, and a search of the car yielded the cocaine, wrapped in terry cloth, and marijuana, police said.

Riley was charged with possession and distribution of controlled dangerous substances, possession of marijuana under 50 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia, along with driving infractions.

He was placed in the Monmouth Coiunty Correctional Institute in Freehold in lieu of $5,000 bail, and his car was impounded, police said.

Authorities note that charges are accusations, and that defendants are considered innocent unless and until found guilty in a court of law.